The Ward Game

When students sit at their spot on the alphabet rug or at their desk, they are more passive in the learning which often involves listening to the teacher. Players are more active and interactive in games. Any one can agree that when you are active in the learning and given a voice the task becomes that much more engaging. Paul Darvasi created a game that calls engagement to action.

Paul Darvasi is an english high school teacher who was able to introduce One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to his senior english class by transforming his lessons into a game, The Ward Game. He became Nurse Ratched while his students were immersed into the asylum like the characters in the book while undertaking self-selected tasks, playing games, carried out personalized missions and activities, and created artifacts to earn points and work toward their release. Students were able to use Facebook and Twitter to receive updates/announcements from Nurse Ratched, students used their cell phones to receive reminders within the game, as well as varying online platforms to interact with students the missions and tasks required for their release. The result of the 30 days was transformative for Paul and his students. Students were given many creative opportunities where personal and collective renovation took place. Paul’s example of using The Ward Game in his classroom and sharing his work in progress is a “sounding board” for more educators to also transform their classroom and the learning.

Example 1: The Ward Game
Example 2: Matter Quest